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GATEWAY TO HEAVEN I go to Synagogue because I have need of God and God has need of me. Divine Services help me to keep attuned to my Crea tor and when I slip by the way as most humans do, I am helped back to the road leading to God. All about me I hear and read of the things of the world: high cost of living, politics, recession, graft, losses, gains taxes and "he said ‘tins' and she said ‘that’." But when I go to Synagogue I hear what God says: I hear his truths, old truths that healed bodies, minds and hearts in ancient days, truths that are good for us today. In the House of God there is quiet and peace and the quietness and calmness rests me from daily rush and care. I meditate and in the stillness I feel God's presence. How many of us say "I pray at home”: I have said that many times myself. But- did you? Did I 1 Or did you answer the door bell, talk on the phone, look at television, or read the events of the day? “I’ll pray at home”— how often have I soothed myself with that expression of good in tentions. The door bell doesn’t ring in Synagogue, and callers will know to visit after Services—or why not meet your friends at Services? Did you ever hear it said, usually by those who seldom attend Serv ices, that there are hypocrites in the Synagogues? Well, the sins and misdemeanors of my fellow worshipper are not my affair. Per haps he is trying to climb out of his weakness. Can you read his mind? Can you know his heart? Besides, angels have no need for Synagogues, for why seek perfect ion, whim perfection is already there? Synagogue is for humans with human frailties; angels be long in heaven. Are you too good already or do you need God - ’ And, the Rabbi's sermon: you'll- not interested in the topic you say. Do you go for the sermon or do you go to worship? Can the Rabbi, every week in every year, speak on a subject interesting to every single person? Be content if he benefits a handful, be con tent if his message brings one heart nearer to God. Be unselfish! Do you always have to be amused? Remember: the Rabbi is not an actor, he is a man striving to bring himself and God's children near to the Divine: that is his purpose. Yes, I go to Synagogue because I need God and God has need of me. Psychiatry may call it an escape, but it is a glorious escape an escape from the cares and anxieties of the world into a peace of mind that you need, I need, that peace of mind that only God can give. And God has need of me, of you, of all His children, to par take of that great gift of Peace that lie alone so willingly bestows on all that seek Him. This is none other than the House of God and this is the gate of heaven (Exchange) Serving The South Since 1N75! ‘Rhodes FURNITURE THE SOUTH'S MOST MODERN DRUG STORE Kstah. 1918 WE DELIVER OPEN A CHARGE ACCOUNT Muckhead CEdar 3-1122-3-4 Complete Home Stores In Seven Southeastern States In Atlanta . . . Peachtree Street at Harris White Provision Company TRinity 5-2571 ATLANTA. GA. A Happy Holiday Season To All Our Friends Atlanta-New Orleans Motor Freight Co. 260 University Ave., S.W. Atlanta, Ga. JAckson 5-5411 OFFICES Atlanta — Montgomery — Mobile — Pensacola Gulfport — New Orleans — New York The Southern Israelite 23